Barrett Hayton scores twice, Karel Vejmelka earns first shutout of season as Utah Hockey Club beats Minnesota, 4-0, for third straight win

Karel Vejmelka made 26 saves for his first shutout of the season, Barrett Hayton scored twice and Utah beat the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Thursday night for its third straight victory.

At first glance, the Utah Hockey Club played a perfect game on Thursday. But the stats suggest there was lots of room for improvement.

Utah entered Minnesota with plenty of momentum after playing a complete game in its 5-2 win over Winnipeg. Scoring a goal in just 1:46, Utah came out fast and never looked back.

McBain is a natural center but has been used on the left wing this season. Nick Bjugstad has occupied the pivot position on the third line for most of the season but was moved to play with Liam O’Brien and Kevin Stenlund on the fourth line in which Stenlund is the center.

The Utah Hockey Club has chosen three finalists for the permanent team name it will adopt beginning with the 2025-26 NHL season. Yeti isn't one of them.

Utah Hockey Club left wing Lawson Crouse (67) and goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) hug after a win over the Minnesota Wild of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) St. Paul, Minn. • Utah Hockey Club has had this week circled on the calendar.

Third Period_4, Utah, Hayton 11 (DeSimone), 1:48. Shots on Goal_Utah 15-3-11_29. Minnesota 5-12-9_26. Power-play opportunities_Utah 1 of 2; Minnesota 0 of 3.

Abbi Ryssman works on her balance beam routine during practice at Flips Gymnastics in White Bear Lake. Ryssman is considered one of the best teen gymnasts in the country. While she attends Century High School in Rochester,

Penalties_Kesselring, UTA (Tripping), 16:36. Shots on Goal_Utah 15-3-11_29. Minnesota 5-12-9_26. Power-play opportunities_Utah 1 of 2; Minnesota 0 of 3. Goalies_Utah, Vejmelka 11-13-3 (26 shots-26 ...

While Alexander-Walker hasn't been productive enough to merit being rostered in many fantasy leagues, things change when the Timberwolves are as shorthanded as they were on Wednesday. Keep an eye on the injury report for Thursday's game against Utah;

Minnesota will attempt to keep its four-game win streak alive when the Timberwolves take on Utah. Thursday's meeting is the first this season for the two squads. Utah is 1-6